RANGERS might have won their first competitive game of the season – but the manner of their victory wasn’t enough to convince fans they will have things all their own way this season.

And instead it was Hibs who left Ibrox with the plaudits but crucially not a place in the next round of the Petrofac Training Cup with Barry Ferguson preparing for an emotional Govan return with his Clyde side in the next round.

However, the serious business of the Championship starts this weekend and Light Blue legions want to see an improvement with Hearts the visitors on Sunday for an intriguing opening fixture.

The club were already turning their attention to that match after the 2-1 extra-time win over Hibs as Alistair Niven, Corkerhill, said: “The Rangers ticket office was kept open for an hour after the Hibs game so you could buy tickets for the Hearts game.

“They should be giving them away for nothing after the dross they served up against Hibs.”

Danny Gee, Balornock, said: “ Alan Stubbs has been at Hibs five minutes and he’s got his side playing brilliant football. Ally McCoist has been at Rangers for four years and they can’t pass the ball five yards. It’s either a new manager or new coaches needed at Ibrox.”

Hibs scorer Danny Handling was sent off late in normal time and Peter Johnstone, Falkirk, said: “The Hibs ordering off was outrageous but it’s no big surprise because at that point in the game Rangers were being totally outplayed.”

And Alan McGaw, Alloa, said: “I was at Ibrox on Tuesday night and I’m quite happy we won. It was a good start but I don’t think Rangers played that well. I felt Hibs were the better team.

“But I also felt both sides didn’t seem fit. The season starts for real on Sunday and we got the result but it wasn’t the best of games to watch and there is room for improvement.

“I hope we can take confidence from the result, if not the performance. I’m quite happy to play the likes of Hearts and Hibs before we go into the Premiership because it means we’ll be a bit more prepared for the challenge of the top flight.”

But not everyone agreed over the standard of Gers’ display. Lindsay MacGregor, Castlemilk, said: “I would just like to say Rangers played really well.

“They started flagging a bit but that’s only to be expected after our first competitive game. I was really chuffed with Lewis Macleod and it’s great to see he looks to be over his virus.”

It was the turn of Celtic to take the field last night in their Champions League qualifier against Legia Warsaw – and even before their sorry defeat one fan had concerns over Ronny Deila’s early spell in charge.

John Scott, Yoker, said: “Ronny Deila has a recurring theme – and it’s get your excuses in first.

“His first excuse was that he couldn’t be asked to complete miracles in four weeks.

“He’s dealing with professional players, it shouldn’t take a great deal of work.

“His next excuse was that he couldn’t get his instructions over. And now he’s blaming the travel during pre-season.

“We’re talking about a group of players who travel first class everywhere and then play 90 minutes!”

Ian McAllister, Banff, had a point about the Hoops chief executive. He said: “I’ve looked at the shambolic state of Scottish football and yet every time I see a new appointment it’s Peter Lawwell from Celtic.

“He’s always being appointed to this board or that board. This is a man who has led Celtic into dire straits because he won’t spend a penny.

“If this is the kind of man who is so influential at the top of our game then what chance have we got? We should be looking at new, fresh appointments to really shake up our game.”

But forget all the troubles our game might have. Alan Lough, Dunbar, raised the real serious issue of the day. He said: “Lionel Messi needs to go back to the barbers to get his hair cut finished. Have a look on his website.”